Sayonara

This weekend saw myself and many workmates attending a party at Ashley and Jim's place - a cookout and drinks (although whilst the cooking was indeed outside, the eating and drinking was primarily indoors on account of the bitter cold here of late). And the occasion? The impending departure of our visiting postdoc - Hiro - as he finishes up his year here and returns to Japan. It has to be said that he is an energetic presence around the lab - and it's going to seem rather unusual without his being here. The fact he was here for such a limited time meant that it was something of a cliche to enter the lab at all manner of hours to find Hiro working away at his latest experiments. I hope for his sake that he has a bit of a rest when he goes home!!

Anyway, the grill-out (BBQ) was a great success - food was delicious (it was pointed out to be a couple of times that it was organic and free range, after my grim reading last week) and there was plenty of it - so no complaints there. Also plenty to drink as well so there was much merrymaking to be had indeed. Highlight of the evening for me, i have to say, was when an episode of "Fawlty Towers" was screened (Jim has them on DVD). Given that most of the assembled crowd had never seen (or indeed heard) of the show, it was something of a treat for me (as a patriotic Brit) to hear the laughter. I'm just expecting to go in on Monday morning and have to explain a few of the jokes to people :D. Anyhow, all the best for Hiro on his return home - i'm sure everyone in the lab wishes him well.